Thiruvananthapuram | The Muslim community in Kerala on Thursday celebrated Bakrid, the festival of sacrifice, by performing namaz at mosques and Eidgahs, which saw a heavy rush of the faithful across the state.

Faithful, including elderly and children, turned out in large numbers in mosques and specially arranged Eidgahs (open-air enclosures) for the morning prayers to celebrate Eid-al-Adha or Bakrid with religious fervour.

Religious leaders and scholars addressed believers in the mosques and read out Eid messages urging them to uphold Islamic values and ideals.

In many places, religious and cultural organisations organised relief and charity programmes for the poor and needy.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister V D Satheesan and Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Pinarayi Vijayan were among those who extended greetings to the people on the occasion.